Rifle Magazine

ABSTRACT

A polymer AK-47 magazine which has stainless steel reinforced feed lips as well as the front locking point being part of the reinforcing unit. The magazine also has a corrosion resistant rear locking point as well as said magazine having internal friction reducing lands and an anti-tilt follower. The corrosion-resistant reinforcement is attached to the anterior, posterior, sinistral, and dextral sides to the magazine feed lips, and the magazine front locking point. The corrosion-resistant reinforcement prevents deformation of said feed lips during usage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and Claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 62/104,137 entitled “Rifle Magazine”, by Emery E. Toth filed on Jan. 16, 2015.

FIELD OF USE

The present invention relates to a rifle magazine with corrosion-resistant reinforced feed lips and lockup points.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the recent advances in polymer technology, it has become possible to make rifle magazines from polymers which are strong enough, and temperature resistant enough to stand up to the demands of modern combat as well as the demands of modern recreational shooters. One problem which has occurred with polymer magazines is deformation of the feed lips. In order to repair problems with feed lips becoming deformed and breaking, and thereby causing malfunctions, many manufacturers have begun to reinforce the areas which are most prone to breakage and deformation from prolonged use. Some have simply made the feed lips and corresponding areas thicker and of stronger polymer, while others have inserted steel reinforcing on the outside, or inside of the feed lip area in an effort to prevent failure of the feed lips.

-   -   U.S. Patent Application No. 20100281737 (Cahill) discloses a         detachable magazine for a rifle. The magazine has an outer case         with an open top end, a bottom end, and an internal cavity. The         magazine also includes a follower that moves within the internal         cavity. The follower guides ammunition cartridges toward feed         lips at the top of the magazine, where the cartridges are loaded         into the rifle. The follower includes one or more openings or         slots formed through the top surface of the follower. The slots         enable debris or dirt inside the magazine to fall out when the         magazine is being cleaned. Water can be sprayed into the         magazine through the slots in the follower, and dirt or debris         can be flushed out to clean the magazine without disassembly.     -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,713,834 (Buddie, et al.) discloses a device for         reinforcing a locating pin aperture in a firearm magazine. The         reinforcement device includes a front panel with an aperture         adapted to be coaxially aligned with the locating pin aperture.         The reinforcement device also includes a clamp adapted to secure         the front panel to the firearm magazine to ensure accurate         alignment of the front panel aperture with the locating pin         aperture.     -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,069,601 (Fitzpatrick, et al.) discloses an         ammunition magazine, preferably made of a glass fiber reinforced         polymer, using a structurally enhancing ridge, angular guide         rails and a follower made to interface with said guide rails to         reduce wobble. The preferred embodiment also features a         protective cover that distributes forces from the spring to more         structurally sound areas of the magazine, thus reducing feed end         splay, and an ammunition indication system comprised of at least         one window and a noticeable marker on the follower spring. The         follower and magazine casing are also designed to interface to         prevent the follower from popping out of the feed end and the         floor plate of the magazine utilizes a locking plate and sliding         relationship between the floor plate, locking plate and magazine         to secure the floor plate onto the magazine casing. The cover         features built-in tools for unloading and dis-assembling the         magazine.     -   U.S. Pat. No. 7,533,483 (Alzamora, et al.) discloses a magazine         for use in existing firearms comprising a housing, a follower, a         spring, a spring hold and a cap. The housing comprises protruded         surfaces for structural strength and a projection that acts as a         stop member to define the maximum insertion of the magazine into         the firearm magazine well. The follower comprises two follower         legs and a spring retainer, and travels up and down the housing.         The perimeters of the follower and follower legs mirror the         internal profile of the magazine housing for a well-defined         travel path within the magazine housing. The spring hold         comprises a spring retainer and a round protrusion that locks it         into the cap via a circular cut.

This prior art discloses only reinforced certain parts of the magazine, such as the feed lips or the lockup points. Also, some of this prior art relies on heavy polymers in the areas of the most stress. None of this prior art is specifically for AK-47 pattern rifles.

What is needed is a corrosion-resistant reinforced polymer AK-47 magazine for AK-47 pattern rifles and variants, such as the Hydra made by MGI, and the LAR-47 made by Rock River Arms which use AK-47 magazines for increased magazine reliability and reduce fatigue on the feed lips. Further, due to usage, non-reinforced polymer magazine feed lips wear out, causing failure to feed, jams and other issues which do not occur with steel magazines or with polymer magazines in which the feed lip area is reinforced with steel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The rifle magazine of the present invention addresses said needs.

The rifle magazine of the present invention is designed for AK-47 pattern rifles and their variants and is designed for owners of AK-47 pattern rifles and their variants that require a reliable, and durable polymer magazine which is of high quality as well as compliant per B.A.T.F. 922(r). In addition, the rifle magazine of the present invention contains a corrosion-resistant insert which is used to reinforce the feed lips of the magazine as well as corrosion-resistant attachment points and a corrosion-resistant floor plate. All of these factors contribute to increased durability and reliability of the rifle magazine of the present invention.

For a complete understanding of the rifle magazine of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and description in which the presently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown by way of example. As the invention may be embodied in many forms without departing from spirit of essential characteristics thereof, it is expressly understood that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the rifle magazine of the present invention, showing the backside of the rifle magazine with a perspective view of the rear locking point.

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded detailed view of the upper portion of the rifle magazine of FIG. 1, and DETAIL “A” depicts the rear locking point.

FIG. 3 depicts another perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the rifle magazine of FIG. 1, the surface of the magazine being depicted as transparent.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict full side perspective front and rear views, respectively, of the first preferred embodiment of the rifle magazine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 depicts a full side perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the rifle magazine of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C depict the top, side and front view of the first preferred embodiment of the feed lip reinforcement for use with the rifle magazine of FIG. 1, respectively.

FIG. 7 depicts an exploded front view of the upper portion of the rifle magazine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 depicts an exploded top view of the upper portion of the rifle magazine of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the rifle magazine of the present invention, showing the backside of the rifle magazine with a perspective view of the rear locking point. The ammunition magazine of the present invention [1] has a slightly curved body [7] contour, which is a necessity in an AK-47 style magazine to ensure proper feeding into an AK-47 rifle and variants. One problem with polymer magazines is that the feed lips will deform after use for a period of time. The rifle magazine of the present invention has reinforced feed lips [3], the feed lip reinforcement [2] extending the useful life of the rifle magazine. The feed lip reinforcement [2] is made of a corrosion resistant material; stainless steel being the material of choice with the stainless steel insert preferably inserted into the feed lips [3] during production. The stainless steel insert contacts the anterior, posterior, sinistral and dextral sections of the magazine [1]. Integral to the stainless steel feed lip reinforcement [2] is a front locking point [9]. To extend the useful life of the front locking point [9], the front locking point [9] is a part of the feed lip reinforcement [2]. This combination design also ensures positive lockup when the ammunition magazine of the present invention [1] is inserted into the rifle, which will prevent the magazine from improperly engaging, which can be an issue certain instances when a shooter fails to seat the magazine completely, causing the magazine to fall from the rifle, and/or failure to feed. In many competing designs, the front lockup point [9] is the only reinforced part, or is merely a much thicker piece of polymer, which will wear out with use, or even break in heavy use; for example, if the shooter is competing any of the ubiquitous shooting matches and drops a fully loaded magazine or an empty magazine onto the front locking point [9], damaging or breaking the lockup [9] point so it will prevent proper seating into the rifle.

The magazine is assembled by attaching an anti-tilt follower [4] to the spring [5] which is then inserted into the magazine body [7]. The magazine spring [5] is then compressed using the floor plate [6] and spring retainer [11], which is inserted into an opening in the floor plate [6], and then the floor plate [6] is slide into place at the base of the ammunition magazine of the present invention [1]. The magazine spring [5] can be made from a variety of materials; steel, stainless steel, or what is increasingly popular, chrome silicon steel which has a higher fatigue resistance than other of types of spring steel.

On the inside sides and back of the ammunition magazine of the present invention [1] are friction reducing lands [10] which reduce the amount of friction encountered by the anti-tilt follower [4] during travel through the magazine body.

FIG. 2 depicts the top view of the magazine of FIG. 1, wherein the feed lip reinforcement [2] is visible inside of the magazine feed lips [3]. Also, clearly depicted is the anti-tilt follower [4], front locking point [9], rear locking point [8] magazine body [7] as well as the friction reducing lands [10]. DETAIL “A” depicts an explode side view of the rear locking point [8]. In order to reduce friction and contact within the cartridge case with the internal body wall surface of the magazine body [7], the preferred embodiment of the rifle magazine [1] of the present invention includes a plurality of internal lands [15] strategically disposed within the magazine body [7].

Also, FIG. 3 depicts another perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the rifle magazine [1] of FIG. 1, the surface of the magazine being depicted as transparent for purpose of illustration.

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the rifle magazine of the present invention. Clearly visible is the feed lip reinforcement [2], the anti-tilt follower [4], the front locking point [9], rear locking point [8], feed lips [3], magazine spring [5], friction reducing lands [10], spring over compression stop [11] and floor plate [6].

Here, the friction reducing lands [10] can be best seen running the length of the magazine on all four sides (also, see FIGS. 3 and 5). These friction reducing lands [10] are on the inside of the ammunition magazine of the present invention [1] and with resulting raised portions on the outside of the ammunition magazine of the present invention [1] assist in positing gripping of the magazine by the user.

The friction reducing lands [10] are small rectangular guides on the interior of the magazine body [7]. In another preferred embodiment the friction reducing lands [10] are located on all four sides of the magazine body [7]. The friction reducing lands [10] may also be alone or in conjunction with any other number of lands. The friction reducing lands [10] also reduce internal friction of the anti-tilt follower [4] while traversing its path inside of the ammunition magazine of the present invention [1] during usage.

The anti-tilt follower [4] is used to prevent the follower from tilting and binding inside of the magazine during use. This can cause failures to feed as well as jamming due to the round not being stripped correctly from the follower by the bolt of the rifle during operation. The anti-tilt follower eliminates this issue by preventing the follower from tilting, so it moves in the same path at all times during usage. This also aids in loading the magazine, because in magazines with standard followers, if the round is not correctly inserted, it can cause the follower tilt, which can make the magazine more difficult to load as well as causing feeding problems during rifle operation.

The rear locking point [8] is also preferably stainless steel and operates on the same principle as the front locking point [9]. While the front locking point [9] is secured to the front of the rifle receiver magazine opening, the rear locking point [8] is securely attached to the magazine release, which is positioned just in front of the trigger guard in an AK-47. Just as non-metal front locking points can wear out and become deformed, so can the rear, even more so since it is also has the added stress of being slid against the magazine release latch during use. By having a steel rear locking point [8] wear is practically eliminated as is the risk of not seating the magazine correctly since a corrosion resistant rear locking point [8] ensures positive lockup when the magazine is inserted into the rifle. To insert the ammunition magazine of the present invention [1] into an AK pattern rifle, the magazine is tilted so the front locking point [9] is inserted into position in the magazine well and the user then tilts the magazine back and upward against the magazine release until the magazine is firmly seated into position. The rifle at this point is ready to fire and the bolt of the rifle needs to be pulled back towards the user and released, stripping a round from the magazine and inserting it into the chamber of the rifle.

To release the ammunition magazine of the present invention [1] from the rifle, the magazine is grasped while the magazine release is pushed forward towards the magazine. At the same time, the magazine is tilted down and away towards to the front of the rifle.

The spring retainer [11] is used to prevent the spring from being over compressed when the magazine is full. If one wished to limit the capacity of a magazine, this stop can be lengthened, which prevents the spring from compressing beyond a certain point, not enabling more rounds to be inserted into the magazine. At full compression, the anti-tilt follower [4] comes into contact with the spring retainer [11].

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C depict the top, side and front view of the first preferred embodiment of the feed lip reinforcement [2] for use with the rifle magazine of [1] of the present invention, respectively.

Unlike other variations of the AK-47 magazine with reinforcement, the rifle magazine [1] of the present invention is one piece, making assembly easier as well as adding overall strength to the top of the magazine and feed lip [3] area. By having the reinforcement made from one monolithic piece, with the front and rear locking points [8 and 9], the reinforcement is less prone to twisting when the magazine is in use, preventing twisting of the feed lips [3], while adding rigidity to the top of the rifle magazine. Assembly is also easier since only one piece needs to be inserted and affixed to the inside of the feed and locking area of the magazine.

In the first preferred embodiment of the rifle magazine [1] of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, the rear locking point [8] is a separate piece. In a second preferred embodiment of the rifle magazine of the present invention (not shown), the rear locking point [8] is an integral part of the feed lip steel reinforcement [2].

FIGS. 7 and 8 depict pictures of the front and top view of the preferred embodiment of the rifle magazine [1] of the present invention, respectively. In FIG. 8, the feed lip reinforcement [2] is part of the integral feed lip [3] and the front locking point reinforcement [9]. However, the feed lip reinforcement [2] primarily serves to reinforce the front locking point [9].

The present invention represents a departure from the prior art in that the magazine of the present invention enables reinforced polymer magazine feed lips that provide improved wear, reducing feed failures, jams and other issues which do not occur with steel or with polymer magazines in which the feed lip area is reinforced.

Throughout this application, various Patents and applications are referenced by number and inventor. The disclosures of these documents in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this specification in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains.

It is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations of the rifle magazine of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the disclosure herein. It is intended that the metes and bounds of the present invention be determined by the appended claims rather than by the language of the above specification, and that all such alternatives, modifications, and variations which form a conjointly cooperative equivalent are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of these claims.

PARTS LIST

-   1. Magazine -   2. Feed Lip Reinforcement -   3. Feed Lips -   4. Anti-Tilt Follower -   5. Magazine Spring -   6. Floor Plate -   7. Magazine Body -   8. Rear Locking Point -   9. Front Locking Point -   10. Friction Reducing Lands -   11. Spring Retainer -   15. Internal Lands 

1. An ammunition magazine, comprising: a. a magazine body having an arcuate shape; b. a corrosion-resistant reinforcement attached to an anterior, posterior, sinistral, and dextral sides to the magazine feed lips, said magazine body including a magazine front locking point, said corrosion-resistant reinforcement preventing deformation of said feed lips during usage; c. an anti-tilt follower disposed in said magazine body; and d. a spring exerting an upward force upon said anti-tilt follower, said spring being made of a corrosion-resistant material; whereby said anti-tilt follower and said spring, being cooperatively engaged, are compressed into said magazine body by said corrosion-resistant floor plate, said spring being disposed via a spring retainer, said spring retainer being cooperatively engaged by the floor plate.
 2. The ammunition magazine of claim 1, wherein said front locking point is corrosion-resistant and an integral part of said reinforcement insert; enabling positive, reliable locking of said magazine into a rifle.
 3. The ammunition magazine of claim 1, further comprising said ammunition magazine having a plurality of internal, friction reducing lands.
 4. The ammunition magazine of claim 1, further comprising said ammunition magazine having a corrosion-resistant floor plate attached at a base of said magazine body.
 5. An ammunition magazine, comprising; a. a magazine body having an arcuate shape; b. a corrosion-resistant reinforcement attached to an anterior, posterior, sinistral, and dextral sides to the feed lips, and front and rear locking point; c. a plurality of friction reducing lands inside of said magazine; d. an anti-tilt follower disposed into said magazine body; e. a corrosion-resistant spring attached to said anti-tilt follower; f. a corrosion-resistant floor plate attached at a base of said magazine body; and g. a spring retainer cooperatively engageable with said floor plate; whereby, said anti-tilt follower is inserted into said magazine body and said corrosion-resistant spring being compressed into said magazine via said corrosion-resistant floor plate, said spring exerting upward force upon said anti-tilt follower, said corrosion-resistant reinforcement preventing deformation of said feed lips during usage.
 6. The ammunition magazine of claim 5, wherein the front and rear locking point is corrosion-resistant and an integral part of said reinforcement insert; enabling positive, reliable locking of said magazine into a rifle.
 7. The ammunition magazine of claim 5, wherein the rear locking point is corrosion-resistant and an integral part of said reinforcement insert; enabling positive, reliable locking of said magazine into a rifle.
 8. The ammunition magazine of claim 5, wherein the spring retainer limits travel of the anti-tilt follower, preventing over compression of the spring.
 9. The ammunition magazine of claim 5, wherein the front locking point is corrosion-resistant and an integral part of said reinforcement insert, enabling positive, reliable locking of said magazine into a rifle.
 10. The ammunition magazine of claim 5, wherein the rear locking point is corrosion resistant and not an integral part of the reinforcement insert.
 11. An ammunition magazine, comprising: a. a magazine body having an arcuate shape; b. a corrosion-resistant reinforcement attached to sides to the magazine feed lips, said magazine body including a magazine front locking point, said corrosion-resistant reinforcement preventing deformation of said feed lips during usage; c. an anti-tilt follower disposed in said magazine body; d. a spring exerting an upward force upon said anti-tilt follower, said spring being made of a corrosion-resistant material, said anti-tilt follower and said spring, being cooperatively engaged, are compressed into said magazine body by said corrosion-resistant floor plate, said spring being disposed via a spring retainer, said spring retainer being cooperatively engaged by the floor plate.
 12. The ammunition magazine of claim 11, wherein said front locking point is corrosion-resistant and an integral part of said reinforcement insert; enabling positive, reliable locking of said magazine into a rifle.
 13. The ammunition magazine of claim 11, further comprising said ammunition magazine having a plurality of internal, friction reducing lands.
 14. The ammunition magazine of claim 11, further comprising said ammunition magazine having a corrosion-resistant floor plate attached at a base of said magazine body;
 15. The ammunition magazine of claim 11, wherein the front and rear locking point is corrosion-resistant and an integral part of said reinforcement insert; enabling positive, reliable locking of said magazine into a rifle.
 16. The ammunition magazine of claim 11, wherein the rear locking point is corrosion-resistant and an integral part of said reinforcement insert; enabling positive, reliable locking of said magazine into a rifle.
 17. The ammunition magazine of claim 11, wherein the spring retainer limits travel of the anti-tilt follower, preventing over compression of the spring.
 18. The ammunition magazine of claim 11, wherein the front locking point is corrosion-resistant and an integral part of said reinforcement insert, enabling positive, reliable locking of said magazine into a rifle.
 19. The ammunition magazine of claim 11, wherein the rear locking point is corrosion resistant and not an integral part of the reinforcement insert.
 20. The ammunition magazine of claim 11, wherein said ammunition magazine is compatible with an AK-47 rifle. 